Senior Executive Management

James (Jim) Bindon

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Jim joined Big River in January 2001 and has been Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director since 2005. Jim has been a director of the Operating Company since July 2005 and a director of Big River Group Holdings Pty Ltd and the Company since February 2016. Prior to his current role as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Jim was the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary from 2001 to 2005. Since working for Big River, Jim has developed and led the Group's strategy to transform Big River from a manufacturing focused business to a diversified provider of timber and building products. Prior to working at Big River, Jim held the position of Business Manager of Sugar and Horticulture at Incitec, where he was responsible for segment profitability, strategy and marketing.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Honours) from the University of New England and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Queensland. Jim is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dean Henderson

General Manager of Sales and Marketing

Dean joined Big River in July 2005 as General Manager of Sales and Marketing. Prior to working for Big River, Dean was an Executive General Manager at Wattyl, where he was responsible for the market performance and profitability of the company’s Architectural and Decorative Division. Prior to this, Dean spent 10 years at Polaroid, where he held several positions including General Manager in Australia and India and Marketing Manager in Europe.

Dean holds a Bachelor of Business from the NSW Institute of Technology.

Steve Parks

Chief Financial Officer (and co-Company Secretary)

Steve joined Big River in July 2008 as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to working for Big River, Steve was the Chief Financial Officer and General Manager at WDS International, where he was responsible for controlling operating performance and leading finance and administration functions including forecasting, cash management, treasury, payroll, information technology, general administration and warehouse operations. Prior to this role, Steve worked as Financial Controller for a number of Australasian companies including Brazin, Strathfield Group, Sunshades Eyewear and Noel Leeming.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Steve is a qualified accountant and is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants.

Jason Blanch

General Manager, Grafton

Jason joined Big River in November 1984 and has been General Manager of the Grafton site since July 2009. Jason commenced employment at Big River as a trade apprentice and held a number of positions prior to being appointed as General Manager, Grafton, including holding responsibility for both the Grafton workshop and the entire engineering function for 10 years, as well as the Grafton flooring division. Jason has led all major installation projects at the Grafton site over the last 15 years, including two steel roll-forming line installations and the development of the cogeneration plant.

Craig Dorward

General Manager, Wagga Wagga

Craig joined Big River in July 2013 as General Manager of the Wagga Wagga manufacturing facility. Prior to joining Big River, Craig was the New South Wales Operations Manager at Viridian Glass Australia, where he was responsible for restructuring and reorganising all operations in NSW to deliver efficient, profitable and sustainable operational capabilities for the business. Prior to this, Craig held a number of positions in both Australia and China at CSR Building Products including Operations Manager and Production Manager for Bradford Insulation (Australia), Project Manager for Guangzhou Rockwool (China) and Project Engineer for CSR Roofing.

Craig holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of New England and is a qualified electrician.

Dave Nicol

Occupational Health and Safety Manager and Human Resources Manager

Dave Nicol joined Big River in August 2005 and has been Occupational Health and Safety Manager and Human Resources Manager since July 2010. Prior to this role, Dave worked in safety management at the Grafton manufacturing facility. Prior to working for Big River, Dave ran his own private industrial paints and safety business for eight years. Dave also has experience in sales, primarily within the agriculture and industrial chemicals sectors.

Dave holds a Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management) from NSW TAFE, a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety from HS Business School and a Diploma of Work Health and Safety from HS Business School. Dave has recently completed his studies for a Graduate Certificate in Management from the Australian Institute of Management.